BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Jan. 11, 2013) – The ETSU men’s and women’s track & field teams put the finishing touches on their first meet since returning from the winter break, stringing together personal bests and multiple top performances at UAB’s Blazer Invite from the Birmingham CrossPlex.

Highlighting ETSU’s day was the high jump on both the men’s and women’s sides. Junior Tyler Stepp (Dandridge, Tenn.) placed third to earn bronze out of the 24-man field in the men’s event, clearing a personal-best height of 2.05m. Last month’s A-Sun Women’s Track & Field Player of the Week, freshman Kristin Chapman (LaFollette, Tenn.), earned the second medal of her young career. Chapman – taking bronze at Clemson in December – walked away with silver in the high jump by clearing a personal-best height of 1.65m.

“Overall, I was pleased with the team’s performance, especially coming off the break,” Director of ETSU Track & Field/Cross Country George Watts said. “When there is a meet like this, coming right after a long break, some can come back and perform right away while others take time. I felt we had more hits than misses in that department, which I was pleased about.

“Kristin [Chapman] had to wait all day for her event, which was tough for her. I think she did a nice job staying ready and competitive all day, and it showed with her performance. I also thought Courtney Kinlaw had a nice day. She ran a leg in the 4x400m, finished third in the consolation final of the 60m dash with a personal best, then was strong in the long jump.”

Senior Courtney Kinlaw (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) helped the women’s 4x400m relay team to a 10th-place finish in a 34-team field. In the 60m dash, Kinlaw clocked in at 7.71 for a personal best, while also taking 13th in the long jump at 5.51m for another personal best.

“We got a lot of good things out of this meet,” added Watts. “Now, we look forward to our home meet where we’ll be sharper and improve on what we did today.”

ETSU hosts the 35th annual Niswonger Invitational next Friday and Saturday at the ETSU/MSHA Athletic Center.